First Meeting Between Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders Emphasizes 'Cooperation'... Expecting Speed on Non-Controversial Bills

Yoon Jae-ok and Park Kwang-on, "Consultation and Adjustment for Areas with No Major Disagreements"

Attention is focused on the 'cooperation' between the new ruling and opposition floor leaders who will lead next year's general election. Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are both classified as 'moderates' within their respective parties. Additionally, the chief deputy floor leaders from both parties?Lee Yang-su of the People Power Party and Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party?share ties as natives of Gangwon Province, raising expectations that the National Assembly may focus more on handling non-contentious bills rather than political conflicts.

Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is having a conversation with Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, during a visit at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 2nd, Kim Han-gyu, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, met with reporters after the meeting between the ruling and opposition floor leaders and said, "Both parties' floor leader teams have been formed, and we discussed the priority tasks we need to work on together going forward," adding, "Overall, the atmosphere was amicable."

Spokesperson Kim stated, "Regarding the non-contentious presidential pledges discussed so far, the chief deputies from both parties agreed to meet and discuss which items to process," and added, "Bills that have been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court also need to be promptly amended. The chief deputy floor leaders agreed to discuss and expedite the handling of these matters."

He continued, "Since both chief deputy floor leaders are from Gangwon Province and are amicable individuals, they are expected to start coordinating the National Assembly schedule as early as today or tomorrow (the 3rd)," explaining, "They agreed to discuss the tasks the ruling and opposition parties will work on together going forward."

He also said, "The floor leaders of both parties expect that the chief deputy floor leaders will effectively negotiate and adjust on issues where there are no significant disagreements, and they have entrusted these roles to them," adding, "Other attendees also exchanged words of goodwill."

Within political circles, there is an atmosphere of expectation that the new ruling and opposition floor leader teams will demonstrate mature parliamentary politics based on smooth communication.

Yoon, a former police officer, and Park, a former journalist, share the commonality of having served three consecutive terms from the 19th to the 21st National Assembly, leading to forecasts that their political acumen and communication skills will be sufficient. Furthermore, both floor leaders are regarded as rational and mild both inside and outside their parties, suggesting that efficient outcomes can be expected regarding non-contentious bills. The fact that the chief deputy floor leaders, Lee Yang-su of the People Power Party and Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party, are also from the same region adds to this optimism.

In his opening remarks, Floor Leader Yoon said, "If we return to the essence of politics that cares for people's livelihoods and national interests, there will be no conditions hindering cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties," adding, "Especially since Floor Leader Park took office, every message?from restoring politics that prioritize people's livelihoods to expanding the scope for prioritizing non-contentious bills?carries significant meaning. I will strive to be a good partner who frequently meets, communicates, coordinates unity, and restores politics."

Floor Leader Park responded, "Whenever I met Floor Leader Yoon, I thought he was a calm and clear person like a lake. He is someone whose heart I connect with," and said, "Upon hearing Yoon's recognition of the priority task of restoring parliamentary politics, I felt a certain relief, thinking 'Perhaps we share the same thoughts.'" He emphasized, "If we closely consult on the important task of restoring politics that prioritize people's livelihoods and engage in friendly competition while communicating with the public, I am confident that the public's trust in Korean politics will be much higher than it is now."